On the Water: Conditions made for a tough week of fishing
Wind, low tides and slow-moving water made for brutal fishing for a good part of the past week. Following a full moon, we get several days of long, weak tides, add strong northeast gusty winds and you can expect less than desirable fishing conditions. With that said, fish were caught, however it often took a good amount of effort and luck.
Not a lot of reports came in over the week as most smart anglers chose to stay off the water. By Sunday, the winds began to lay down and we returned to four tides a day.
Seatrout were caught, however not in the numbers as previous weeks. The better reports came from waters protected from the wind in south Pine Island Sound around Galt Island and McKeever Keys, and also in the north sound between Cabbage Key and Cayo Costa.
Redfish up to 33 inches were caught and released along shorelines around eastern Pine Island Sound and north Matlacha Pass. Most were singles or pairs staging along sand holes and sand banks where winds were pushing the water.
Most of the week smaller snook had a bigger appetite than the larger ones. Fish running from 18 to 25 inches were hooked around most islands, keys and oyster bars. As the wind decreased and tide movement increased, larger snook up to 34 inches began to chew heading into the weekend.
Tarpon anglers had the toughest go all week. It’s hard enough to locate and fish tarpon — add a strong wind and its near impossible. A few areas semi-protected from rough water with tarpon hook-ups included off the eastern side of Charlotte Harbor and around Cabbage Key. Best baits were live Atlantic thread herring and cut mullet.
OK, enough with the wind. We are all ready for a week or two of consistent days with light winds. I know the offshore and tarpon guys and gals are ready.
Keep up to date with fishing rules and seasons in the area you fish, as they change often. You can visit www.myfwc.com for all current state and federal regulations.
If you have a fishing report or for charter information, please contact Gulf Coast Guide Service at 239-410-8576 (call or text); on the web at www.fishpineisland.com; or via email at gcl2fish@live.com.
Have a safe week and good fishin’.
As a lifetime resident of Matlacha and Pine Island, Capt. Bill Russell has spent his life fishing and learning the waters around Pine Island and Southwest Florida, and as a professional fishing guide for the past 23 years.